Yes, you can use various router brands in AP mode.
Yes, you can use various router brands in AP mode.
You're thinking carefully about using different brands for access points. It's a smart approach to test coverage without committing fully. Just make sure each router is set up properly in AP mode and that you understand how they interact. Your plan sounds reasonable—keeping the D-Link as the main unit while adding NETGEAR ones for extra coverage should work well. Just double-check compatibility and settings to avoid any issues down the line.
In theory they "should" function properly... However, I've encountered some routers that don't cooperate well, even within the same brand (except identical models). Over the past decade, running dual routers has been unpredictable—especially during upgrades. It's frustrating because they should work, but you only find out for sure when you try them.
I utilize Telekom, TPLink and ASUS devices. My Telekom router functions well, with the cable connecting to a switch and then to additional routers. It operates smoothly for me.
It should function, but opting for this approach instead of a unified system with roaming capabilities might lead you into a challenging roaming situation. Your device could remain linked to a distant AP with weak signal, even when another AP is nearby, unless you change the network setting manually on the device.
Mesh networks are designed to track signal strength and automatically direct devices closer to a central access point.